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Chalk, Richard Seymour, 1905-1985
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Head Master

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'1. Dr. JAMES GOW (‘Jimmy’), H.M. 1901-1919
My first meeting with him was at Challenge 1918. I owe him a lifelong debut for his accepting me without Common Entrance Exam (on the strength of my dismal Challenge papers), thus saving a second journey from my home in Devon in War-time conditions.
My first three Terms (Play 1918-Election 1919) coincided with his last three. He had been a great and good HM, but was now almost blind and moved in a dignified daze, piloting himself with a stick. (Intent on my prep, I once collided with him in Yard)
Through no fault of his, School discipline had become somewhat lax by 1918. Leave and Plays were easily given (e.g. to go skating on the Serpentine in Lent 1919).
He was much loved and his departure was a solemn occasion. He shook hands with every boy after his last Prayers. I am glad I remembered to say ‘Thank you, Sir’ – with the classical Remove form-prize in my hand.'

School Gateway

Depicts Burlington Arch in Little Dean's Yard.

One copy is annotated on reverse by R.S.C as follows:
'The focal point of Yard, which impressed me deeply when I first saw it (as a small boy in 1915). I wondered even then how boys could carve their names on it so expertly. (Later Mr. Green carved my name in College on wood for (I believe) the sum of 5/-).
The centre-piece of many a School compilation. (A tragedy the present ‘Eliza’ has no use for it).
In my day it was wrongly known by Town Boys in Under School as the ‘Up School Gateway’ (save the mark!). A new Junior KS. of my Election in his word-test called its designer ‘Jingo Jones’.
To the left is Sergeant’s Office (a ‘sanctum sanctorum’ where were compiled lists of those due for ‘Up School’ or Penal Drill), with the VI Form Room above it. To the right, in my day a convenient but ugly Fives Court, used (exclusively, I think) by K.SS. It was a vast improvement aesthetically when this was removed some years later and the vista opened into (hitherto unseen) College Gardens.'

Names on wall "Up School"

One copy annotated on reverse as follows, by R.S. Chalk:
'1918-1924
By the 1920’s the multiplication of names of O.WW up School was beginning to pose a real problem, as space was running short. They cost (I believe) only 5/- Each!
Towards the end of my time I heard Costley-White explaining to some distinguished visitors that in future permission to have names painted up School was to be confined to “Westminster Families”, i.e. families that had at least three members at the School at some date. I could claim a younger brother and, later, three cousins – but in any case all was decided by the Blitz (which obliterated hundreds of names, including 17 Phillimores and 16 Waterfields).'

Domed Ceiling in Busby Library

One copy annotated by R.S. Chalk on reverse, as follows:
'R.S.C. Memories 1922-1924
The destruction of this superb ceiling (I believe by an H.E. bomb earlier in the Blitz than the gutting of School) was a calamity indeed.
It was a great relief to O. WW once of the VII to know that it was so expertly replaced after the War- its moulding including the Redstart which had nested in the ruins during the Exile.
I sat under this ceiling for my two years in the VII 1922-1924 and (with many another) frequently admired its beauty.
The details of the moulding were so delicate and detailed that we were of opinion (I think wrongly) that it could not be plaster- work, but must be wood-carving white washed over.
The VII Form Room was also used out of School for meetings of Deb. Soc, but I think for no other recreational purpose. Also, on rare occasions, by the School Monitors in trying a case referred to them by the H.M.'

College Gardens

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Memories 1921-24
(Known to us erroneously as ‘College Gardens’)
It was anomalous (to say the least) that this delectable adjunct to the School should have been debarred even to K.SS except on two days of the year (for the reason, see L.E. Tanner, p46) while (before the opening up of the vista between School and College) TBB never set eyes on it! The Garden was not then visible from Dormitory (windows being too high up) but a distant glimpse of the Canons disporting themselves there could be gained from a window up Saignes.
KSS were allowed into the Garden for a few blissful hours on Election Sunday and again next morning for Juniors’ Race, when Juniors ‘ran for their freedom’. This consisted of a handicap race twice round the Garden. A handsome money prize was awarded to the first three finishers (provided no doubt from Election ‘Cap’). (My luck to be pipped on the post by Binyon for 3rd place!). The disgusting custom of ‘Feeding’ in Hall before the Race was mercifully abolished by that wise Chaplain R.C. Fisher in my year (1921).'

A last homage to out beloved King Edward VII from the scholars who first acclaimed him King

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'This picture (well before my time) has its use in supplying a general date for this series of P.C.s (recorded in Record of OWW Vol III, under ‘Arthur Brown’ on p443 as “about 1911”).
It is always a source of regret that it was never my lot as a KS to take part in our supreme privilege of all - being first in the Empire to proclaim the Sovereign at a Coronation.
The only royal occasions in which I was able to take part were (1) Princess Mary’s Wedding in 1922 as a (very nominal) Steward at the North Door and (2) the Installation of the Knight’s of the Bath in 1923 or 1924. At this my companion and myself were Stewards with the task of checking tickets at the little North Aisle door, commonly called ‘Devil’s Door’. L.E. Tanner, in charge, posted us with the words “Now come along, you two Devils!”'

Grand Staircase, Ashburnham

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'1918-1924
In those days Ashburnham Staircase was regarded as a ‘nine days’ wonder’ and considered so exceedingly precious that we boys were only allowed to use it once every three years - at ‘Commem’. I have memories of walking up it for the first time on Nov 17, 1919 and again that date in 1922. We walked in wonder and awe, but there was such a crush we could hardly appreciate its beauty. Towards the end of my time (presumably after A.T. Willet became Librarian in 192__) regulations were relaxed and the Staircase was more frequently opened. But it then ceased to bear its former ‘inaccessibility’ charm!'

Nearly a hundred years a Tuck shop

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Suts in Yard (successor of this) was one of the most important features of our School life. Besides being a Tuck Shop it was also the Stationary Store and School Book Shop. It is a great pity the photo of Suts including the amazing MISS LUCY ROUD has not survived in this series, purchased from there. (It may however be seen in Record of OWW, Vol III).
A ‘Greaze up Suts’ could be a fearsome affair in which the smaller or weaker stood little chance. Never so much as in Play 1918, when stock was normally limited to ‘Thin Arrowroot’ but chocolate arrived twice the term! (Later, always in stock).
MISS ROUD was a truly wonderful character - small, gold-bespectacled, resembling a village store-keeper. During School hours, she made up all the Book and Stationary accounts (in a unique round hand) for 350 boys. In Breaks she dealt (generally single handed) with scores of chits for ‘Quartern’-‘nib’-‘pen’ etc. etc. and continuous vociferous demands (especially during a Greaze) for this or that item of confectionary. Her one, unfailing weapon was: ‘Shan’t serve you! Enough!”'

The Abbey from "Green"

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Memories 1918-1924
During Play and Lent Terms, “Green” was a complete misnomer! It was used not only for regular Football (“Green games” to occupy all such as were not down for games up. Fields- a welcome relief for less proficient players like myself) but also for daily “kick-abouts” for A.HH and H.BB during dinner-breaks etc (corresponding to ‘Yard Games’ up RR & GG). Consequently there was not a blade of grass surviving by the end of Lent Term, and efforts had to be made to restore its ‘greenness’ for the summer. In this connection I have clear memory of the horse and plough working there in 1922 (featured in a press photo, with Abbey in the background).
The game of Football as played in Green was a peculiar one. It was of course surrounded by the century old five-foot railings (so regrettably removed to make munitions during the war). A ball which ‘cannoned’ off these was still in play- a throw in awarded only if the ball was kicked outside. Likewise the trees – skilful wing-forwards made good use of these!'

Physics Laboratory

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Soon after his arrival as H.M., Costley White decreed that all Under School Forms on the Classical Side should do a modicum of Science (Physics). Tho’ accorded a somewhat mixed reception, this was a wise measure.
I am thankful for the elements of Physics (Archimedes’ Principle etc) that I learnt while in CVI under the gentle and precise F.O.M. Earp (whom we classicists liked well).
Those first two periods of elementary Science on Wednesday mornings were a welcome relief to the hard grind in Classics under the relentless E.L. Fox.
The chief impression of Science was how easy it all was by comparison! Lectures were taken quite light-heartedly, and when experiments were being conducted, F.O.M.E. could naturally not devote attention to more than two boys at a time. Consequently my partner (Dennis Binyon) and myself had many a mild lark between his visits to our pitch!
It was noticeable also during Prep how little work scientists had to do compared with classics!'

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